WATERLOO, Ont. – The #9-ranked Golden Hawks came up just short in a hard-fought 18-16 loss to the #8 McMaster Marauders on Saturday. Still, several standout individual performances helped keep Laurier in contention until the game's final seconds.

The Laurier football Players of the Week, presented by Nothers The Award Store, are Tayshaun Jackson on offence, Mitch Price on defence, and Owen Goetz on special teams.

OFFENCE

Tayshaun Jackson - Running Back
Jackson was the engine of Laurier's offence, contributing in all facets of the game while posting a team-high 134 yards from scrimmage.

The second-year running back carried the ball 12 times for 71 yards and the Golden Hawks' lone offensive touchdown on a two-yard run midway through the first quarter.

He also caught four passes for 63 yards, finishing second on the team in receiving while averaging nearly 11 yards per touch.

The Brampton, Ont., native accounted for more than 40 percent of Laurier's offensive production, highlighted by a game-long 29-yard reception and several key gains that helped sustain lengthy drives.

Jackson's 134 combined rushing and receiving yards marked a season high, and his second touchdown of the year on the ground opened the scoring for the purple and gold.

This is the third Player of the Week award already this season for Jackson and 10th overall.

DEFENCE

Mitch Price - Defensive Lineman
Price made the most of his return to the lineup, delivering one of Laurier's five sacks while contributing to 36 yards in losses for against one of the OUA's top offences through the first three weeks of the season.

The Waterloo, Ont., product recorded a quarterback takedown that resulted in a 10-yard loss and added a tackle for loss as the Golden Hawks consistently pressured McMaster quarterback Lucas Barresi throughout the afternoon.

His pivotal sack came during a first-half McMaster drive deep in Laurier territory, helping push the Marauders backward and limiting the damage to a field goal.

Price's contribution also held the Marauders to a season-low 18 points. 

This is the first careeer Player of the Week award for Price.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Owen Goetz - Defensive Back
Goetz made his impact felt on both defence and special teams.

The second-year defensive back recorded two tackles and two pass breakups while also making a crucial special teams stop in the fourth quarter.

The Burlington, Ont., native was credited with three drive-ending plays, including a pair of pass breakups that helped stall McMaster possessions and a special teams tackle that prevented additional return yardage late in the contest.

This is Goetz's second Player of the Week award this season and third overall.

SCOUT TEAM

Laurier's scout team Players of the Week are receiver Denzel Robertson on offence and linebacker Gerard Iwedi on defence.